Smoking apparatuses with integrated retainer for retaining a flexible screen

ABSTRACT

A smoking apparatus for a smoking product, comprising: a substantially hollow stem defining a bore having a bore diameter, a bowl proximate the first end of the hollow stem, the bowl. having an open end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough and a bottom end opposite the open end, the bowl further including: a screen retention area defined by the contour of the inner wall and disposed opposite the open end of the bowl and configured to selectively retain a flexible screen, the screen retention area further including: a screen retainer disposed proximal the bottom end of the bowl, and a lateral boundary region disposed adjacent the screen retainer and configured to receive a circumferential edge of a flexible screen, and a shoulder support disposed adjacent the lateral boundary region and protruding inwardly into the bore diameter of the bowl to support the flexible screen opposite the screen retainer. In some examples, the smoking apparatus includes a hollow stem that terminates with an arcuate bend.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to smoking apparatuses. In particular, smoking apparatuses that include an integrated retainer for holding in place a flexible screen are described.

Known smoking apparatuses are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, the majority of existing smoking apparatuses are not capable of holding in place a screen located in a bowl area of the smoking apparatus. In addition, conventional smoking apparatuses that are capable of holding a screen in place often employ clamps or some other hardware in order for the screen to be held in place and must be disassembled in order for the flexible screen to be removed.

Over the years, pipes, bongs and other smoking or vaporizing apparatuses have been designed with a screen located in the bowl of the device to limit debris generated from the smoking product from being inhaled or ingested by the user. Other advantages of having a screen include: limiting the internal buildup of smoking product in the device, and preventing the smoking product from being wasted as it is drawn out of the bowl.

Despite the many advantages cited for having a screen, most smoking apparatuses are not equipped with this feature due to flaws in their design. Existing designs are complicated and ineffective. One such example of a known design flaw is that current smoking apparatuses require additional hardware to hold a screen in place at the bottom of the bowl. Moreover, the user is then required to disassemble the smoking apparatus in order to remove the screen for cleaning or replacement purposes. Because removal of the screen in this case is time consuming, most users choose not to employ a smoking apparatus of this type. Further, existing smoking apparatuses require a complex and costly manufacturing process, which is less than ideal.

Another design flaw lies in the fact that glass is the material of choice when it comes to smoking apparatuses. Glass offers little resistance against the screen sliding out of place and is thus ineffective at retaining the screens or filtering devices presently employed. Current designs of glass pipes and glass smoking apparatuses are unable to effectively prevent common screen or filtering devices from inadvertently falling out of the glass smoking apparatus. The slickness of the glass material with respect to the screen or filtering device is another reason why current designs are inadequate.

Thus, there exists a need for smoking apparatuses that improve upon and advance the design of known smoking apparatuses. Examples of new and useful smoking apparatuses relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a smoking apparatus for a smoking product, including a substantially hollow stem defining a bore having a bore diameter, a bowl proximate the first end of the hollow stem, the bowl having an open end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough and a bottom end opposite the open end, the bowl further including: a screen retention area defined by the contour of the inner wall and disposed opposite the open end of the bowl and configured to selectively retain a flexible screen, the screen retention area further including: a screen retainer disposed proximal the bottom end of the bowl, and a lateral boundary region disposed adjacent the screen retainer and configured to receive a circumferential edge of a flexible screen, and a shoulder support disposed adjacent the lateral boundary region and protruding inwardly into the bore diameter of the bowl to support the flexible screen opposite the screen retainer. In some examples, the smoking apparatus includes a hollow stem that terminates with an arcuate bend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a smoking apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a left-side elevation view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the smoking apparatus with a flexible screen inserted within the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the smoking apparatus without the flexible screen inserted in the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking apparatus taken along the line shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vie of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a second example of a smoking apparatus with a first end terminating in an arcuate bend.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the smoking apparatus with the first end terminating in an arcuate bend.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the smoking apparatus with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the first end of the smoking apparatus shown FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the first end of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 8 without the flexible screen.

FIG. 14 is a left-side elevation view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking apparatus taken along the line 15-15 shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 15 with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third example of a smoking apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a left-side elevation view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 20 is top elevation view of the smoking apparatus with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 21 is a top elevation view of the smoking apparatus without the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking apparatus taken along the line 22-22 shown in FIG. 19,

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 22 with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a third example of a smoking apparatus with a first end terminating in an arcuate bend.

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the smoking apparatus with the first end terminating in an arcuate bend.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the smoking apparatus with the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the first end of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the first end of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 24 without the flexible screen inserted.

FIG. 30 is a left-side elevation view of the smoking apparatus.

FIG. 31 is cross-sectional view of the smoking apparatus taken along the line 31-31 shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the smoking apparatus shown in FIG. 31 the flexible screen inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed smoking apparatuses will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the Figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various smoking apparatuses are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each. example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example w be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a first example of a smoking apparatus 40, will now be described. Smoking apparatus 40 includes a substantially hollow stem 50, and a bowl 60 that includes a screen retention area 70, Smoking apparatus 40 functions to contain Smoking product in bowl 60, thereby reducing the inhalation of burning or vaporized smoking product by a user,

In use, smoking apparatus 40 reduces the inhalation of burning or vaporized smoking product from reaching a user's lungs by filtering out those harmful elements. A flexible screen 42 is inserted into screen retention area 70 and reduces the likelihood of a user inhaling or ingesting any of the burning smoking material. Additionally or alternatively, the smoking apparatuses described may be used with a varied assortment of glass, metal, ceramic or other heat resistant pipes and bongs, as well as hookah smoking devices.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-7, hollow stem 50 refines a bore 51 having a bore diameter, where hollow stem 50 further includes a first end 52, a second end 54, an inner wall 56, and a restricted-flow opening 58. First end 52 is disposed opposite second end 54 with restricted flow-opening 58 located proximal second end 54. Bore 51 encompasses the entire length of hollow stern 50. Restricted-flow opening functions to reduce the likelihood of burning smoking product from being inhaled or ingested by the user.

Turning attention to FIGS. 6 and 7, bowl 60 is integrally coupled to and disposed proximal first end 52 and includes an open end 62 a bottom end 64 disposed opposite open end 62, and a reinforced lip 66 located proximal open end 62. Further, bowl 60 defines a bowl bore 61 having a bore diameter. A variety of different smoking products may be inserted into open end 62 of bowl 60 by the user for smoking enjoyment. Additionally, reinforced lip 66 reduces the possibility of damage to bowl 60 if the user drops smoking apparatus 40 onto a hard surface.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, screen retention area 70 further includes a screen retainer 72 disposed proximal bottom end 64 of bowl 60, a lateral boundary region 76, and a shoulder support 80. Lateral boundary region 76 is disposed adjacent screen retainer 72 and extends across bore 61 diameter a distance greater than the, inside diameter of bowl 60. Further, lateral boundary region 76 is configured to receive a circumferential edge of flexible screen 42. Screen retainer 72 defines a restricted opening 74 that is less than the outer diameter of flexible screen 42. Once inserted beyond screen retainer 72, flexible screen 42 is held securely in place in lateral boundary region 76 and may not inadvertently fall out of screen retention area 70.

Staying with FIG. 7, shoulder support 80 is disposed adjacent lateral boundary region 76 and protrudes inwardly from lateral boundary region 76 into bore 61 diameter of bowl 60 to support flexible screen 42. Screen retainer 72, lateral boundary region 76, and shoulder support 80 cooperate together to securely retain flexible screen 42 in screen retention area 70. Alternatively, in some examples, the smoking apparatuses may have a shoulder support feature that is discontinuous in nature, such as discrete projections projecting inward from the bowl bore in the screen retention area.

Turning attention to FIGS. 8-16, a second example of a smoking apparatus 140 will now be described. Smoking apparatus 140 includes many similar or identical features to smoking apparatus 40. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of smoking apparatus 140 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between smoking apparatus 140 and smoking apparatus 40 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two smoking apparatuses.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8-16, smoking apparatus 140 includes a substantially hollow stem 150, and a bowl 160 that includes a screen retention area 170. However, in this example, hollow stem 150 of smoking apparatus 140 has a first end 152 terminating in an arcuate bend, whereas hollow stem 50 of smoking apparatus 40 has a first end 52 terminating in a substantially straight end.

In FIGS. 8-9, first end 152 terminates in an arcuate bend, whereas first end 52 of smoking apparatus 40 terminates in a straight end. First end 152 having an arcuate bend provides the user with a smoking apparatus having a different directional angle of bowl open end 62, which allows users different options for lighting smoking product and for the subsequent removal of ashes.

Turning attention to FIGS. 1-23, a third example of a smoking apparatus 240 will now be described. Smoking apparatus 240 includes many similar or identical features to smoking apparatus 40. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of smoking apparatus 240 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between smoking apparatus 240 and smoking apparatus 40 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two smoking apparatuses.

As can be seen in FIGS. 17-23, smoking apparatus 240 includes a substantially hollow stern 250, and a bowl 260 that includes a screen retention area 270. However, in this example, screen retainer 272 defines a constriction 278 to bore 261.

In FIG. 23, screen retainer 272 is disposed proximal bottom end 264 of bowl 260 and defines constriction 278 located proximal lateral boundary region 276. Further, the inside diameter of constriction 278 is less than the outer diameter of flexible screen 42. Once inserted beyond constriction 278, flexible screen 42 is securely held in place in lateral boundary region 276 and is restricted from inadvertently falling out of screen retention area 270. Moreover, screen retainer 278, lateral boundary region 276, and shoulder support 280 cooperate together to retain flexible screen 42 securely in screen retention area 270. Alternatively, in some examples, the smoking apparatuses may have a screen retainer feature that is discontinuous in nature, such as discrete projections projecting inward from the bowl bore in the screen retention area.

Turning attention to FIGS. 24-32, a fourth example of a smoking apparatus 340 will now be described. Smoking apparatus 340 includes many similar or identical features to smoking apparatus 240. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of smoking apparatus 340 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between smoking apparatus 340 and smoking apparatus 240 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two smoking apparatuses.

As can be seen in FIGS. 24-32, smoking apparatus 340 includes a substantially hollow stem 350, and a bowl 360 that includes a screen retention area 370. However, in this example, hollow stem 350 of smoking apparatus 340 has a first end 352 terminating in an arcuate bend, whereas hollow stem 250 of smoking apparatus 240 has a first end 252 terminating in a substantially straight end.

In FIGS. 24-25, first end 352 terminates in an arcuate bend, whereas first end 252 of smoking apparatus 240 terminates in a straight end. First end 352 having an arcuate bend pros ides the user with a smoking apparatus having a different directional angle of bowl's open end 362, which allows users different options for lighting smoking product and for the subsequent removal of ashes.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions.

Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclose(inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A smoking apparatus for a smoking product, comprising: a substantially hollow stem defining a bore having a bore diameter, the hollow stem including a first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the second end disposed opposite the first end; and a bowl proximate the first end of the hollow stem, the bowl having an open end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough and a bottom end opposite the open end, the bowl being integrally coupled to the first end, the bowl further including: a screen retention area defined by the contour of the inner wall and disposed opposite the open end of the bowl and configured to selectively retain a flexible screen, the screen retention area further including: a screen retainer, the screen retainer disposed proximal the bottom end of the bowl; a lateral boundary region, the lateral boundary region being disposed adjacent the screen retainer and extending across the bore diameter a distance greater than the inside diameter of the bowl, the lateral boundary region being configured to receive a circumferential edge of the flexible screen; and a shoulder support, the shoulder support being disposed adjacent the lateral boundary region and protruding inwardly from the lateral boundary region into the bore diameter of the bowl to support the flexible screen opposite the screen retainer.
 2. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screen retainer is defined by a restricted-opening that is less than the outer diameter of the flexible screen and holds the flexible screen in the screen retention area.
 3. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screen retainer, the lateral boundary region, and the shoulder support cooperate together to retain the flexible screen in the screen retention area.
 4. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow stein is configured to draw air and vaporized smoking product from the bowl.
 5. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the hollow stem defines a restricted-flow opening.
 6. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the open end of the bowl further includes a reinforced lip, the reinforced lip having a wall thickness that is twice the wall thickness of the bowl.
 7. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shoulder support defines the bottom end of the bowl.
 8. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shoulder support and the screen retainer cooperate to receive and release the flexible screen to and from the lateral boundary region through the open end of the bowl.
 9. A smoking apparatus for a smoking product, comprising: a substantially hollow stem defining a bore having a bore diameter, the hollow stem including a first end, a second end, and an inner wall, the second end disposed opposite the first end, the first end terminating with an arcuate bend; and a bowl disposed proximal the arcuate bend of the first end, the bowl having an open end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough and a bottom end opposite the open end, the bowl being integrally coupled to the first end of the hollow stem, the bowl further including: a screen retention area defined by the contour of the inner wall and disposed opposite the open end of the bowl and configured to selectively retain a flexible screen, the screen retention area further including: a screen retainer, the screen retainer disposed proximal the bottom end of the bowl and where the screen retainer defines a constriction to the bowl in the screen retention area and where the bore of the constriction is less than the outer diameter of the flexible screen; and a lateral boundary region, the lateral boundary region being disposed adjacent the screen retainer; and a shoulder support, the shoulder support being disposed proximal the lateral boundary region, the shoulder support extending inwardly from the lateral boundary region into the bore diameter of the bowl to support the screen opposite the screen retainer.
 10. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lateral boundary region is configured to receive a circumferential edge of the flexible screen.
 11. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the screen retainer, the lateral boundary region, and the shoulder support cooperate together to retain the flexible screen in the screen retention area.
 12. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second end of the hollow stem is configured to receive a variety of smoking-product filters.
 13. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stem is configured to draw air and vaporized smoking product from the bowl.
 14. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second end of the hollow stem is configured with a restricted-flow opening and cooperates with the shoulder support to minimize the smoking product from being inhaled by the user.
 15. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein the shoulder support and the screen retainer cooperate to receive and release the flexible screen to and from the lateral boundary region through the open end of the bowl. 